Message from Alyssa

Alyssa with daddy

With a full day of running around, Jerry Englehart and I were able to make it to Alyssa just before sunset, so he could capture this piece before heading back to  Bowling Green, Kentucky the following morning.  Big thank you to Jerry for doing this.

Also, Jerry will be coming on as a Director for Love for Alyssa, Inc.

 Check out the quick video, we just wanted to give you a glimpse of what she is like.  Please share the link with others, and please continue to spread the word.  Thank you!

Kerri Huckabee, the owner and Director of Flagler Beach Montessori school in Flagler County, FL.  has just notified me that they have booked their Love For Alyssa NatureWalk/Run Fundraiser for Oct. 15th at 10:00am. This will be donations of a minimum of $20.00 per family, up to any possible amount.

This is very exciting, and we are very grateful!  I will be back with details on how to register.

Sweet Pea

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Alyssa (sweet pea)

Can't wait to spend some time with this sweet pea when I'm back in town, where has the summer gone to!  It's going by so fast!

I would like to give a special thanks to Kelley Van Epps and Debby Moss for having linked Love for Alyssa on their site.  We appreciate your support!  Their company Art Box Designs offers creative personalized gifts.  Please have a look at their great things.

http://www.art-box-designs.com/

Update, Behind the Scenes, & Thank You's!

Hi All, This post is to get everyone up to speed as to where we are at this time, and to give you a peek at some of the very important people involved in this project.

Also, I would like to take a moment to thank these people so much, and to thank everyone who has thus far opened their hearts, which includes our sponsors, individual donors, anonymous donors, and to those lending a helping hand.  It is exciting to see the wheels in motion and the light ahead.

We are grateful for the outcome of support that has followed since the launch of this project in March.   In late May, in a meeting with our lawyer Dennis Bayer we went over the necessary logistics in preparation to move forward.  Meaning soon we will be filing for our 501c3 status.

Following that meeting, we met at the Hollingsworth Gallery for a final decision on the count of images that will be in the exhibition.  The original plan was to have 15 images, but we have now added to that number, making it a total of 20.  There will be one more 30x40, and 4 images at 20x30. With these five added images, we now have a total of 6 images left to be sponsored for.  The cost to sponsor an image will remain at $200.

I would like to thank Piedmont Plastics whom from day one was on board with helping with this exhibition.  Their company, whose corporate location is in North Carolina, generously supports this project by fully sponsoring all of the glass needed for this exhibition.  A special thanks goes to Mr. Ted Isbell for making that happen.

One hand has crossed over another through this journey.  Thanks to JJ Graham, owner of the Hollingsworth Gallery, he directed me to speak with photographer A.J. Neste.  A.J. has no idea how grateful I am to him because he connected me to my missing link, my lawyer Dennis Bayer.  I couldn't proceed with this vision without this key person.  Thank you A.J.!

A.J. is not only an incredible surf photographer, but he also has a big heart. He is the director for the "Voice " program that is under the Florida EndowmentFoundation.  This is a program that not only teaches kids to photograph, but also helps them gain knowledge to the business aspects of the profession.

So, let me start by showing you who some very special/important people are...

dennis bayer

image by Jerry Englehart Jr.

This is Dennis Bayer our lawyer.  We can't begin to thank him enough for believing in what we are doing.  He is an amazing person!  I wanted to share this wonderful article written in the Daytona News Journal  back in February about his dedication to our community.  Please check out the link!

dennis bayer's office - flagler beach, fl

(image I shot of Dennis's office that over looks Flagler Beach)

susan kates

This is paralegal, Suasn Kates for the Law Office of Dennis Bayer.  I appreciate Susan so much.  She is a friend who has been so extremely helpful with everything, and a shoulder to lean on with my 1,000 questions.

j.j. grahm

J.J Graham

mercedez & gab

Mercedez & Gabriel

 Artist/ Painter, JJ Graham and life partner, photographer Mercedez Buzbee McCartney (shown above with their son Gabriel at my son's recent birthday party), are the owners of the Hollingsworth Gallery.  A friend had told me about the gallery, and upon my first visit I was floored by what they had created in our community.  It is a special place, one that does not exists in too many places.  I approached them immediately about my ideas, and I am thankful for their belief in me.  We quickly became great friends.

JJ's clear vision has succeeded by creating a place for contemporary artists to nurture their creativity.  One thing that I find most important, is having a community of peers that encourage one another and leave the silliness of competitiveness behind at the door.  When you are surrounded by other artists that feel the same that you do, it inspires you to challenge yourself in your own work.

No matter where you live, I encourage all artists of every medium to submit their work for review for exhibition at Hollingsworth.  The space is extraordinary, and they have expanded recently with the opening of their new gallery SECCA Tree Studios two doors down.  SECCA also includes artist studios for rental space, though I believe they are all reserved at this time.

In between these two galleries is a separate space for painters; those that are experienced artists and for those longing to learn.  Believe when I say, JJ is the person you would want to learn from!  Classes are available for adults and children.  There are  great summer classes available for children.  If you would like to inquire, see the link and call 386-871-9546.

jerry englehart

This is my long time dear friend, and talented colleague, photographer Jerry Englehart Jr.  Jerry at this time attends Western Kentucky University studying photojournalism.  Jerry and I push each other. His opinion I trust most.

Jerry is great technically as well, and he was the one who implemented my vision for this site.

It was great that he was down recently and was able to attend the latest meeting with Dennis.

With barely anytime left from a full day of events.  Jerry and I left to meet with Alyssa.  We chased what little light we had left, so that Jerry could catch a quick video glimpse of her.  That will be to come.

delynn maples

This beautiful girl is Delynn Maples, Vice President of LFA.  Delynn is my right hand.  She is someone I can not thank enough.  I thank her for believing in me and being such a vital part of making everything happen.  Delynn has just moved to Washington State which means now we are going Skype, a familiar way that many companies work in today's world.

And, though we just spoke an hour ago, life is not the same without her and her family here.  I miss them so much already, and it's only been a week or so.  LOVE YOU Delynn!!!

I also would like to thank Alison Wynkoop Vanhoutte our secretary.  We appreciate you so much.  I've known Alison since moving to this area 6 years ago.  She is good people.  Her daughter Samantha, has always been a great little model for my personal work.

A couple of weeks ago, I met for the first time, Ms. Jennifer Kuiper, a teacher at Flagler Highschool.  Jennifer contacted me a few months ago willing to really help make a difference.  I am so impressed with the person she is, and extremely grateful to her for wanting to dive right in.  We will be working together on an upcoming fundraiser.  Thank you Jennifer!

Having only contacted a handful of people who had already known what I was trying to do, the word of mouth has gotten us this far.  Please friends continue to spread the word.  Feel free to contact Love for Alyssa if you would like to take part.

I will continue to update you all as we progress.  I never mentioned this before, but I have had many images set aside that I never plan on posting.  They are images I wish to keep until final edit, so that there will be some element of surprise come exhibition time.

Thank you all for your support, and please continue to spread the word!

Flager Beach Montessori

On 5/25/11 Alyssa and I visited Flagler Beach Montessori school in Flagler Beach, Fl.   Kerri Huckabee is the owner/director of the school, and I loved that she wanted Alyssa to come for a visit. Since having done an ongoing photo workshop with a hand full of her kids, and having been their school photographer this past year, I have gotten to know them, and have been very impressed with their forming personalities which is a great reflection as to the nurturing environment that Kerri has set in her school.  You feel the love and peace that is being instilled.

This visit was important, it went along with one of the many reasons I had for doing this project.  I want children to be involved, to participate.  This is good lesson to teach; to have compassion for others.  We are all created differently, but we ARE all the same. 

I knew Alyssa would really like the children and the school, and I was right because she didn't want to leave.  When we were driving away she said, "I made a lot of new friends."

And I said, "I know you did!"

In the Fall, Flagler Beach Montessori will be hosting a 5k Walk/Run fundraiser on Alyssa's behalf.  We are extremely grateful!

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The image above was taken as soon as we arrived.  As you can see a group of little ones surrounded Alyssa to greet her.  Their unfiltered curiosity didn't hold them back from asking Alyssa all they wanted to know, which is evident by the look on all their little faces. 

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman

Hello Everyone, it has been a while since I last posted.  Much has been happening, so I will begin working on a  post to get everybody up to speed as to where we  stand at this time.

Also, as I posted on Facebook Alyssa and I spent the day at Flagler Beach Montessori school recently.  Those photos are to come hopefully sometime today. 

 In the meantime, I came across this image I thought I would share.  This is my son Jack dressed as Spiderman.  He got this costume to wear for his 4th birthday, and he likes to dress up in it every chance he gets.  Here he is showing Alyssa just how cool he is.

2011 Year in Review

Throughout 2011 I’ve had a mixture of amazing moments and sad ones. The lowest of the lows was when one of my grandmothers passed away in the spring of 2011 and I drove to New Jersey for her funeral. It was the hardest on my sister and my mother because of their distance and closeness respectively. And yet one of the biggest successes this year, and one I know my grandmother would have been proud to hear about, was a six month internship with Zuma Press starting after the New Year. My grandmother always encouraged me that as one door closes another one most certainly opens.

In 2011 I’ve also been able to find a great community of refugees from Burma in Bowling Green, Kentucky. I will continue documenting their lives along with the community in Southern California during 2012. They have shown me what it is to be more humble, what it means to care for someone openly and empathically, plus their spirit and understanding has been amazing. I am grateful for their acceptance of my presence into their day-to-day lives, their festivals, road trips, and homes. This is why nearly half of the images in this review of 2011 are from the refugee community from Burma.

There are big plans for 2012 that will hopefully allow me to continue to work on personal projects, give back to the photo community, and build more lifelong relationships well into the future.

I wanted to thank a list of people, but it would be obnoxiously long. You know who you are. Everyone one of you I am grateful for on this journey.

Mother's Day

Alyssa feeling the light

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Alyssa, Chloe', & my shadow

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all the girls hanging out

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CHILL

Pretty lucky being able to spend Mother's Day with five of my favorite little people.

A Day At The Fair

I'm usually not a fan of using flash, but I did use it for some of these photos.  I do like the look it gave to this one.

These were taken the day before her birthday at a fair that was happening in Bunnell, FL.

I know I love Alyssa, because she got me on this ride. Wow- was I nauseous!

Alyssa looking very cool.

This girl is way braver then I. Not having a ticket saved me from having to ride this thing. No farris wheels for me!

Alyssa getting a lift from dad.

Getting a helping hand from a friend.

ASMP - American Society of Media Photographers

Would like to thank  fellow colleague and friend Betsy Hansen, President of American Society of Media Photographer's Central Florida Chapter, for posting about Love for Alyssa.  I am a member of this organization.  If you are a serious photographer you should be too!

  

click here

ASMP - American Society of Media Photographers

Would like to thank  fellow colleague and friend Betsy Hansen, President of American Society of Media Photographer's Central Florida Chapter, for posting about Love for Alyssa.  I am a member of this organization.  If you are a serious photographer you should be too!

Alyssa on ASMP blog

Happy Easter

Alyssa painting her Easter egg

Alyssa getting ready to paint her Easter egg

'look at those dear little hands'

Alyssa doing a terrific job coloring her Easter egg. Happy Easter Everyone!

Happy Earth Day

This is a piece of equipment that I would love to see her receive. As you can see this gives her the opportunity to work her legs. 

Happy Earth Day! Here are a couple of archive photos from Earth Day's past. This second photo of her in this walker was at a time when Alyssa was receiving therapy. She was at the time, able to scoot her self around pretty well. It was a great source of therapy, and sense of independence for her.

Burmese Refugee New Year Celebration

This community had much more depth and honest moments than I could capture in the short 4 hours I was privileged to photograph at the New Year celebration this weekend. I plan to pursue the refugees of Burma here in Bowling Green more extensively as I have time over my course studies here at WKU. Even with the language barrier I was given much more insight into who these refugees are culturally and economically than I could have ever imagined possible. I must thank Jimmy, also a refugee from Burma, for all his help with gaining access to their wonderful community.

Water Park

Alyssa & Alexxis

Alyssa, Alexxis, & London

Alyssa & Alexxis

Alyssa

Alyssa loving the water

A quick update to let everyone know that things are moving along swimmingly.  We are very pleased at where we are at this point.  Everyday there has been something new, and exciting occurring.  We are grateful to everyone who has reached out with their support, ideas, and connections.  Please continue to spread the word!

Palm Coast, FL Spreading The Word

Just would like to thank The Palm Coast Observer, and to Shanna Fortier for the nice piece that they did covering 'Love for Alyssa'.  Please have a look if you haven't seen it.

'Love for Alyssa' in the Palm Coast Observer

click here

Also, I would like to thank fellow WordPress blogger Camille, at Baby Pickel, for doing a nice post about 'LFA' on their site.  Baby Pickel is a local organization that gives back to mothers in need. 

Baby Pickel blog post for Love for Alyssa

Thank you for your support!